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IndyCars to go Italian? IRL in talks with Alfa Romeo

IndyCar teams and fans have grown accustomed to the proliferation of Italian racing car chassis as Dallara has been supplying them for the past eleven seasons, now all but exclusively. But with Honda's engine supply contract coming to a close, series organizers have been discussing new powertrain options with a number of manufacturers. Among them is Alfa Romeo, the Italian automaker widely anticipated to make a return to the North American market in the near future.

This wouldn't be the first time Alfa Romeo has provided motivation for the largely American racing series, having participated in the late 80's and early 90's with a project adopted from Ferrari. However, despite the company's deep racing heritage, Alfa Romeo does not currently compete in any major form of motorsport since the N.Technology team stopped campaigning race-prepped 156 Super Turismos in the World Touring Car Championship. The responsibility for developing the IndyCar engines – 3.5-liter V8s under the current regulations, tipped to be replaced by turbocharged fours – would presumably fall to Fiat Powertrain Technologies, headed by Paolo Martinelli, formerly head of Scuderia Ferrari's engine program. Nothing's certain, however, since IRL organizers are also rumored to be discussing a renewal with Honda as well as with Audi, Porsche and an undisclosed fifth automaker.

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Anonymous

Anonymous

6 Years Ago

The politically correct unification name is Indycar now.

Indycar people need manufacturers not only to make engines but to financially suppport races and teams etc. It's difficult to see the return for Alfa Romeom unless they envisage a mjor return to NA and I don't see that.

Audi makes sense as would the VW name as would Porsche. Oops they are all the same group these days.... Don't see Toyota coming back. This leaves perhaps Hyundai...they should rebadge a Cossie. The latter though dropped out of talks with Indycar. Meantime GM and Ford are busy elsewhere.

But with a 10 year TV package on Versus interest may be muted.

In truth the 2007 Cossie 2.65 Turbo V8 would have been better than the current Honda engine.

Anonymous

Anonymous

6 Years Ago

This would be not only a great way for Alfa to return to its rich heritage in motorsports but also a way to signal its commitment to the North American market. It would be a nice follow up to the 8C's introduction on these shores as a way of reestablishing what Alfa stands for. God knows they've made some truly fantastic racing engines as well as cars in the past. Here's hoping...